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South Jordan Journal

Youthful Miners working hard on and off golf course

Aug 23, 2018 05:26PM ● By Jana Klopsch

Bingham’s River Heward will be a key player for this season’s Bingham golf team.

By Josh McFadden | [email protected]                 

The Bingham High School boys golf team is no stranger to success. The Miners are used to competing against some of the top teams in the state. This season, the Miners will have to do it with an inexperienced roster.                 

The Miners have two seniors and a pair of juniors on the squad. The rest are sophomore and freshmen itching for action in competitive meets.                 

The two seniors, Ryan Howe and River Heward will lead the team this season. Heward is making the jump from the JV squad last season, while Howe was a key member of last year’s team that placed fourth at the Class 6A state championships.                 

“[Howe] looks to add to his success this season,” said head coach Jim Applegate. “[Heward] has worked extremely hard and has improved his game. He looks to be a solid varsity contributor.” 

Sophomore Jordan Bingham is the top returner on the team. Last season as a freshman, he led the way at state by shooting a 154 in the two-day competition. Junior Garrett Bland wasn’t far behind. He shot a 157 and looks to improve on that mark this season. Applegate expects big things out of both of these players. He’s eager to find out which other players contend for spots at the state tournament.                 

“I look for [Bland] to be a leader on and off the course,” Applegate said. “I look for [Bingham] to take his game to the next level and compete with some of the best players in the state. It will be interesting to watch and see who goes to state (top six) from this team.  I love watching kids compete.”                 

The Miners shot 605 as a team at last season’s state tournament. They were just five points behind third-place Weber and 14 points behind second-place Lone Peak. Four of the six players who competed at state graduated, Leaving the Miners with some inexperience on their lineup. 

Still, those returning players, along with the newcomers, have all made strides, Applegate said. 

“So far, I'm impressed with the work they have put in since last year,” he said. “Every one of them has improved. Some of them have taken big jumps.”                 

Applegate expects his players to put in the work at practice. He knows this will lead to success in games. But efforts on the course are far from Applegate’s only expectations. He stresses schoolwork just as much.                 

“Grades are important in our program,” he said.                 

While Applegate would enjoy another strong showing at the state tournament, he gets the most satisfaction out of watching his players learn, develop and fight through adversity.                 

“I enjoy watching kids get from point A (wherever they start) to point B by the end of the season,” he said. “I enjoy watching them overcome obstacles and see success.”